Music Gear

IK Multimedia’s T-RackS was one of the original all-in-one software mastering solutions, and it’s been steadily improved as the years have gone by. It’s now reached version 5, which IK claims is “the most powerful mixing and mastering modular system for Mac/PC,” and offers four new modules.

T-RackS 5 is totally customisable: you can now choose from a total of 38 modules and create a 16-processor series/parallel chain. The new modules include Master Match, which promises to match the sound of a mix with up to three other reference tracks. IK reckons that this will enable even those with no previous audio engineering experience to create great-sounding masters, and could be seen as an attempt to see off auto-mastering services such as LANDR.

The other additions are the Dyna-Mu vari-mu compressor/limiter, which is based on a piece of American hardware and is designed to glue your mix together; the EQual 10-band parametric EQ, which replicates the typical curves of British and American analogue EQs; and the One processor, which combines an EQ, compressor, analogue harmonic exciter, low-end enhancer and limiter and is designed for streamlined and straightforward audio finalisation.

You can use T-RackS 5 in three ways: as a standalone suite, as a plugin suite (ie, a channel strip or mastering chain) or by selecting each processor as a separate plugin (VST/AU/AAX). The interface has been streamlined and is now resizable, and the audio engine has been improved. There are also broadcast-ready metering tools and the option to assemble a complete album from within the T-RackS 5 interface.

T-RackS 5 is completely modular; you can actually download the Custom Shop version for free and then buy modules on a pay-as-you-go basis. Alternatively, you can get nine modules for €150, 22 for €300 and the full 38 for €500 if you go for the Max Bundle. Crossgrades are available, too.

Boss has revealed the DR-01S Rhythm Partner, a beatbox made to produce ‘organic’ percussion accompaniment for acoustic players.

The DR-01S is being pitched in opposition to “rhythm machines used by electronic musicians and DJs”; designed with battery-powered portability and ease of use in mind, its preset grooves are described as tasteful and versatile. Also, it’s brown.

Groove and pre-set layering is deliberately simple too, with one-touch instrument addition or removal. Any combined beats that you’re particularly happy with can then be saved in up to 50 recall slots.

The onboard sounds themselves are obviously heavy on the shakers, maracas, tambourines, congas, bongos, bells, cajon, et al, but there is in fact a full drum kit hidden within the DR-01S, including – whisper it – electronic sounds.

We’re awaiting confirmation of a price and will update you as soon as we get that info. In the meantime, for full specifications, check out the DR-01S site.

A week after it announced a revised version of its Octatrack sampler, Elektron has confirmed that it has MKII versions of the Analog Four synth and Analog Rytm drum machine in the pipeline, too. As with the new Octatrack, these offer a range of hardware improvements, including OLED screens, backlit buttons, hi-res encoders, quick performance controls, and an increased number of buttons for a speedier workflow. Each also boasts Expression/CV inputs, Overbridge with higher bandwidth and an aluminium enclosure. In the case of the Analog Four MKII, the analogue circuitry has been reworked to deliver more deep and defined bass, so we’re told, and there are stereo audio outputs for each voice. The Analog Rytm MKII, meanwhile, gets sampling capability and large pads. The Analog Four MKII will ship in September priced at €1449/$1349, and the Analog Rytm MKII will debut in October priced at €1699/$1549.

Following on from last year’s release of the Toraiz SP-16, we knew that there would be more to come from the fledgling music production range.

Fast forward to the NAMM 2017 show and the launch of the AS-1, a monosynth with a single voice from the DSI Prophet 6 lying within, encapsulated in a more ‘DJ-friendly’ chassis.

While we were very pleased with the sounds on offer, we weren’t too sure about the choice of controls and keypad deployed. So then, what better reason to take a closer look AS-1 to see what else lurks under the hood.